Tampon and tampon application wrapper

ABSTRACT

A feminine hygiene product wrapper, comprising a front panel having a closed side lengthwise edge, an open side lengthwise edge, a bottom widthwise edge, and a top widthwise edge; a back panel having a closed side lengthwise edge, an open side lengthwise edge, a bottom widthwise edge, and a top widthwise edge; and an expandable side panel having a lengthwise extending first side edge, a lengthwise extending second side edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge, wherein the lengthwise extending first side edge is attached to the open side lengthwise edge of the front panel, and the lengthwise extending second side edge is attached to the open side lengthwise edge of the back panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/939,439, filed on Jul. 27, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/560,659, filed on Sep. 22, 2017, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,758,432, issued on Sep. 1, 2020, which is 371 Internationalapplication of PCT/US2015/059695, filed on Nov. 9, 2015, which claimsthe benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/077,413 filed on Nov. 10, 2014, the contents of which areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to tampons and tampon applicators ingeneral and to containers for tampons and tampon applicators inparticular.

2. Background Information

Feminine hygiene products, such as tampons, are typically individuallypackaged within a wrapper to keep the product hygienic prior to use. Inmany instances, the wrapper is also used to contain a used product priorto disposal. Prior art wrappers are typically made of a plastic film,such as polypropylene and polyethylene or other materials such asnonwovens, and paper, and laminates, to enclose the product completely.In some instances, it is not easy for a user to identify where or howthe wrapper is intended to be opened. In such instances, the user maytear or otherwise open the wrapper in a manner that provides access tothe unused product, but a lack of opening mechanism(s) and/or openingqueues can prompt improper opening (e.g., tearing at the wrong point, orcompletely opening the package), which makes it difficult or impossibleto use the same wrapper to thereafter effectively contain a usedproduct. Even when some prior art wrappers are opened as intended, itcan be difficult for the user to remove the product and more difficultto insert a used product in the wrapper because the opening is smallrelative to the size of the product. For example, it is not uncommon fora user to open a wrapper to remove the product and then subsequentlyhave to expand a restrictive size opening to facilitate disposal of theused product within the wrapper.

Disposal of a used product into some prior art wrappers can also bedifficult because a wrapper may not have sufficient integrity afterbeing torn open to contain a used product. In those instances, a usermay be forced to dispose of the wrapper and the used product separatelywhich is wasteful (e.g. the user may elect to wrap the used product intoilet paper). Another problem users may experience relates to how theused product may be disposed of discretely and effectively. For example,if a user has to change a product in a restroom that does not have anavailable disposal bin, or if the user is not comfortable with leaving aused product in the restroom, the user may elect to wrap the usedproduct in toilet paper if the wrapper cannot be used, which provides anon-discrete and potentially unsanitary package for the user to carryaway from the washroom.

Another deficiency of the prior art is the aesthetics of the wrapper.Some wrappers are overly plain in an attempt to provide a product thatis discreet. Other wrappers are bright with decorative patterns in anattempt to attract youthful customers and/or to create enthusiasm at adelicate time for the consumer. Currently wrapped feminine care articlessuch as tampons fail to provide both a discrete product in aprior-to-use state (e.g., prior to opening) and also a positive, upbeatproduct during use (e.g., upon opening, during use, and optionallyduring disposal).

Some prior art products come with a bag that can be used for thedisposal of used products. Such bags typically require an additionalstep in the changing process and require an item (i.e. the bag) inaddition to the tampon be carried to the bathroom discretely, whichmakes the changing process more cumbersome and less convenient for theuser.

Yet another deficiency of the prior art is the amount of opening and/orspace that is provided to the consumer upon opening the product,removing the product, and optionally returning a soiled product withinthe wrapper for disposal. Current tampon wrappers fail to achieve asmall initial footprint that can be easily carried and is also discreet,while also providing an expanded state that enables the consumer to moreeasily remove the product from the wrapper and optionally place a soiledproduct within the wrapper for discrete disposal.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a feminine hygieneproduct wrapper with an exterior surface and an interior surfaceopposite thereto, the wrapper having a front panel, a back panel, and anexpandable side panel. The front panel has a closed side lengthwiseedge, an open side lengthwise edge, a bottom widthwise edge, and a topwidthwise edge. The back panel has a closed side lengthwise edge, anopen side lengthwise edge, a bottom widthwise edge, and a top widthwiseedge. The expandable side panel has a lengthwise extending first sideedge, a lengthwise extending second side edge, a top edge, and a bottomedge. The lengthwise extending first side edge is attached to the openside lengthwise edge of the front panel, and the lengthwise extendingsecond side edge is attached to the open side lengthwise edge of theback panel.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a femininehygiene product wrapper is provided that includes a panel and anexpandable side panel. The panel includes a pair of lengthwise edges, abottom widthwise edge, a top widthwise edge, an interior surface and anexterior surface. The expandable side panel extends between thelengthwise edges of the panel. The side panel has an interior surface,an exterior surface, and a top widthwise edge. The wrapper is closedalong the bottom widthwise edge of the panel. The interior surfaces ofthe panel and the expandable side panel form an interior cavity operableto hold a feminine hygiene product. The wrapper is selectivelyconfigurable in a new product configuration wherein the interior cavityis closed adjacent the top widthwise edge of the panel, and an openconfiguration wherein the expandable side panel is at least partiallyexpanded and the interior cavity of the wrapper is open.

In any of the aspects above, the expandable side panel may include oneor more folds, which folds are oriented such that in the new productconfiguration a widthwise cross-sectional area of the wrapper issubstantially uniform along the length of the wrapper, and in the openconfiguration the widthwise cross-sectional area of the wrapper adjacentthe top widthwise edge is substantially larger than the widthwisecross-sectional area of the interior cavity adjacent the bottomwidthwise edge.

The features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in light of the detailed description of the invention providedbelow, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitedin the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic planar view of the present wrapper (front panelside) in a new product configuration.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic planar view of the present wrapper (back panelside) in a new product configuration.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic top view of the present wrapper in a newproduct configuration.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the present wrapper in anopen configuration.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view proximate the top edge of theexpandable side panel.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the present wrapper as shown in FIG. 1, sectioned at line 6-6.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the present wrapper as shown in FIG. 6, with the expandable side panel slightly spread to illustrate theexpandable side panel.

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating an expandable side panel embodimentwith a V-shaped top edge.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the present wrapper in anopen configuration proximate the bottom edge of the wrapper, at line 9-9of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the present wrapper in anopen configuration proximate the bottom edge of the wrapper, at line10-10 of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the present wrapper in anopen configuration proximate the bottom edge of the wrapper, at line11-11 of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the present wrapper in anopen configuration, illustrating the expandable side panel deflectedoutwardly.

FIGS. 13A-13D diagrammatically illustrates the present wrapper in thenew product configuration, and then the progressively to the right, thewrapper in the open configuration, then the product being removed, andthen finally the wrapper in a closed configuration with a used productdisposed in the interior cavity of the wrapper.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic planar view of the present wrapper in a foldedused product configuration.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the present wrapper.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the present wrapper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements inthe following description and in the drawings (the contents of which areincluded in this disclosure by way of reference). It is noted that theseconnections are general and, unless specified otherwise, may be director indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limitingin this respect. A coupling between two or more entities may refer to adirect connection or an indirect connection. An indirect connection mayincorporate one or more intervening entities.

Now referring to FIGS. 1-4 , an embodiment of the present disclosurewrapper 20 for a feminine hygiene product 21 (e.g. a tampon or a napkinproduct). The wrapper 20 has an exterior surface 23 and an interiorsurface 60 opposite thereto (i.e. the interior surface 60 is adjacentthe product 21 contained within the wrapper 20). The wrapper 20 includesa front panel 22, a back panel 24, and an expandable side panel 26. Thewrapper 20 is configurable in a new product configuration (e.g. seeFIGS. 1 and 2 ), an open configuration (e.g. see FIGS. 4 and 8 ), and aclosed used product configuration (e.g. see FIG. 13 ). In someembodiments, as will be described below, the wrapper 20 may also beconfigured in a folded used product configuration (e.g. see FIG. 14 ).

The front panel 22 may be described as having a closed side lengthwiseedge 28 a, an open side lengthwise edge 30 a, a bottom widthwise edge 32a, and a top widthwise edge 34 a. The back panel 24 may be described ashaving a closed side lengthwise edge 28 b, an open side lengthwise edge30 b, a bottom widthwise edge 32 b, and a top widthwise edge 34 b. Tofacilitate the present description, the length of the wrapper 20 may bedescribed as extending along a “Y” axis, and the width may be describedas extending along an “X” axis. The depth of the wrapper 20 may bedescribed as extending along a “Z” axis. The X, Y, and Z axes as usedherein are each perpendicular to the others; e.g. if the X and Y axesare used to define a plane, the Z axis is perpendicular to the X-Yplane, etc. The front panel 22 has an interior surface 36 and anexterior surface 38. The back panel 24 has an interior surface 40 and anexterior surface 42.

In some embodiments, the wrapper 20 may include one or more tabs (or thelike) attached to (or integrally formed with) the front and back panels22, 24 to facilitate opening of the wrapper 20. For example, as can beseen in FIGS. 1 and 2 , in some embodiments the front panel 22 mayinclude a tab 44 a (e.g., integrally formed with the front panel 22)that extends widthwise outwardly from the open side lengthwise edge 30a, extending lengthwise a distance along the edge, and the back panel 24may include a tab 44 b (e.g., integrally formed with the front panel 22)that extends widthwise outwardly from the open side lengthwise edge 30b, extending lengthwise a distance along the edge. The presentdisclosure is not limited to the aforesaid tab embodiments; e.g., tabsmay be affixed to the exterior surfaces 38, 42 of the respective panels22, 24, etc. The tabs 44 a, 44 b may be configured in a variety ofdifferent shapes; e.g., shapes that can be easily grasped between auser's digits, tabs that have a desirable aesthetic shape, combinationsthereof, etc.

In some embodiments, the front panel tab 44 a and the back panel tab 44b may be partially misaligned from one another along the respectivelengthwise edges. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 , in those embodimentswherein the front panel tab 44 a is misaligned with the back panel tab44 b, a portion of the interior surface 40 of the back panel tab 44 bcan be seen in the front panel planar view, and a portion of theinterior surface 36 of the front panel tab 44 a can be seen in the backpanel planar view. As a result of the lengthwise misalignment, each tab44 a, 44 b can be easily recognized and grasped by the user.

In some embodiments, the interior surfaces 36, 40 of the front panel 22and back panel 24 may have a feature (e.g. a color, aesthetic feature,print pattern, surface texture etc.) different from that of the exteriorsurfaces 38, 42 of the respective front panels 22, 24. As a result, thetabs 44 a, 44 b may have a sensory cue (e.g., visual cue, tactile cue,etc.) that makes each tab readily distinguishable from the other, makingit easier for the user to recognize the tabs 44 a, 44 b when opening thewrapper 20. In further embodiments, the tabs 44 a and 44 b match therest of their respective front panels 22 and 24 to maintain an entirelyuniform external wrapper 20. The present disclosure is not limited tomisaligned tabs, or any particular sensory cue.

In further embodiments, the interior surface 60 of the wrapper 20 mayhave a sensory cue (e.g., visual cue, tactile cue, etc. . . . ) that isdifferent from the front panel 22 and back panel 24. The difference incue from the interior surface 60 of the wrapper 20 and the exteriorsurface 23 having front and back panels 22 and 24, respectively, canprovide a deviation in how the consumer perceives her interaction withthe product. For instance, the front panel 22 and back panel 24 may havean aesthetic that provides a discrete appearance, while the interiorsurface 60 provides a contrasting aesthetic that elicits aninvigorating, surprising and/or enthusiastic perception of the user. Insome embodiments, the exterior surface 23 has an aesthetic that providesa discrete appearance, while the interior surface 60 provides acontrasting aesthetic that elicits an invigorating, surprising and/orenthusiastic perception of the user. The discreteness of the initialappearance of the wrapper 20 (i.e., prior to being opened), is furtherenhanced by the wrapper 20 obfuscating the feminine hygiene product suchas tampon 21. In some embodiments, the exterior surface 23 is at leastsubstantially opaque, or has an aesthetic that masks the appearance ofthe feminine hygiene product such as tampon 21.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the front panel tab 44 a hasthe same shape as the back panel tab 44 b, although the two tabs aremisaligned with one another. In alternative embodiments, the front andback panel tabs 44 a, 44 b may have respectively different shapes.Embodiments of the present wrapper 20 may include tabs that differ inshape from one another, and that are misaligned.

In some embodiments (e.g. see FIG. 5 ), the expandable side panel 26 isdefined by a lengthwise extending first side edge 46, a lengthwiseextending second side edge 48, a top edge 50, and a bottom edge 52. Theexpandable side panel 26 has an interior surface 54 and an exteriorsurface 56. The expandable side panel 26 includes a feature that allowsthe expandable side panel 26 to assume a closed configuration whereinthe surface area of the expandable side panel 26 assumed between frontand back panels 22, 24 is minimal (e.g. the configuration assumed whenthe wrapper 20 is in the new product configuration) and also an expandedconfiguration wherein the surface area of the expandable side panel 26assumed between front and back panels 22, 24 is maximal (e.g. theconfiguration assumed when the wrapper 20 is in the open configuration).An example of the aforesaid feature is one or more lengthwise extendingfolds 58 (referred to hereinafter as “pleats”) disposed between thefirst and second lengthwise extending side edges 46, 48 of theexpandable side panel 26. FIGS. 5-12 illustrate non-limiting examples ofsuch pleats 58. Specifically, the embodiments in FIGS. 5 and 8-12include two pleats 58, each pleat 58 having a bend axis 60 and eachpleat 58 connected to the other pleat along a bend axis 62. The presentdisclosure is not limited to this particular example and may have feweror more pleats (e.g. FIG. 7 illustrates an expandable side panel 26 thathas a single pleat), or may have some other fold configuration.Moreover, the expandable side panel 26 is not limited to any particularshape; e.g. the expandable side panel 26 may have a diamond,rectangular, oval, triangular, or polyhedron shape, or any combinationthereof.

The interior surface 60 defines interior cavity 60 of the wrapper 20.The interior surfaces 36, 40, 54 of the front panel 22, the back panel24, and the expandable side panel 26 define an interior cavity 64 of thewrapper 20.

In the new product configuration of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3 ,the closed side lengthwise edges 28 a, 28 b of the front and back panels22, 24 are attached to one another along the length of the wrapper 20,and the bottom widthwise edges 32 a, 32 b of the front and back panels22, 24 are attached to one another along the width of the wrapper 20.Preferably, the front and back panels 22, 24 are attached to one anotheralong the closed side lengthwise edges 28 a, 28 b and the bottomwidthwise edges 32 a, 32 b in a manner that creates a closed seam toprevent materials entering or exiting the interior cavity 64 of thewrapper 20. In these embodiments, the closed side lengthwise edge andbottom widthwise edge seams are not intended to be opened during normaluse of the wrapper 20 as will be described below. In other embodiments,lengthwise edges 28 a and 28 b may be integrally formed such that frontpanel 22 and back panel 24 are a unitary piece thereby having a unitaryexterior surface 23 and interior surface 60. In FIGS. 1 and 2 , thepanels 22, 24 are diagrammatically depicted as having bonded seams alongthe aforesaid edges, but the present wrapper 20 is not limited thereto.

In the new product configuration of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and2 , the expandable side panel 26 is folded in a manner that the sidepanel 26 is disposed between the front panel 22 and the back panel 24along the open side lengthwise edges 30 a, 30 b; i.e. in a front planarview of the wrapper 20 in the new product configuration, the expandableside panel 26 cannot be seen. This folding configuration is preferableas it reduces the initial size of the wrapper 20 and thereby helpsmaintain the wrapper in a discrete state prior to use. To illustrate,FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the wrapper 20 (section taken at line6-6 of FIG. 1 ) in the new product configuration, wherein the open sidelengthwise edges 30 a, 30 b of the front and back panels 22, 24 are inclose proximity to one another. FIG. 7 shows another sectional top viewof the wrapper 20, wherein the open side lengthwise edges 30 a, 30 b ofthe front and back panels 22, 24 are slightly separated from one anotherto illustrate the expandable feature (e.g. folds) of the expandable sidepanel 26.

In the new product configuration, a portion or all the open sidelengthwise edges 30 a, 30 b of the front and back panels 22, 24 may beattached to one another in a manner that the attached portion(s) can beselectively detached from one another to allow access to the interiorcavity 64 of the wrapper 20. Similarly, a portion of or all the topwidthwise edges of the front and back panels 22, 24 may be attached toone another in a manner that the attached portion(s) can be selectivelydetached from one another to allow access to the interior cavity 64 ofthe wrapper 20. Examples of how the aforesaid edges may be attached toone another include a continuous seam along the respective edge and aline of weakness disposed adjacent the edge. The line of weaknessprovides a mechanism where the seam may be torn apart and the seamthereby opened. In another example, the aforesaid edges may be adheredto one another using an adhesive, or via tape, VELCRO, etc. The presentwrapper 20 is no limited to any particular attachment mechanism.

FIGS. 8-12 illustrate the above-described wrapper 20 embodiments in anopen configuration. FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating an expandableside panel 26 embodiment with a V-shaped top edge. FIG. 9 is adiagrammatic sectional view proximate the bottom edge of the expandableside panel 26 (e.g. a section view taken at line 9-9 of FIG. 8 ). FIG.11 is a diagrammatic sectional view proximate the top edge of theexpandable side panel 26 (e.g. a section view taken at line 11-11 ofFIG. 8 ). FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken at a position between thesections shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 (e.g. a section view taken at line10-10 of FIG. 8 ). FIG. 12 illustrates the expandable side panel 26extended outwardly. It should be noted that the wrapper 20 is showndiagrammatically in FIGS. 8-12 . Preferred embodiments of the presentwrapper 20 are made of a thin, flexible polymeric material. The flexiblematerial facilitates disposing the wrapper 20 into the openconfiguration and the sharp corners shown in FIGS. 8-12 (shown tofacilitate the present description) are typically more rounded, lesssharp (e.g., see FIGS. 13A-13D), which characteristic typicallyfacilitates a maximum sized opening into the interior cavity 64 of thewrapper 20.

The expandable side panel 26 of the present wrapper 20 provides anopening into the interior cavity 64 of the wrapper 20 that issubstantially greater than the interior cavity opening of many prior artwrappers. Furthermore, the expandable side panel 26 of the presentwrapper 20 substantially increases the volume of the interior cavity 64of the wrapper 20 when the present wrapper 20 is in the openconfiguration. The substantial interior cavity opening (and interiorcavity 64 volume) of the present wrapper 20 greatly facilitates theremoval of a new product from the interior cavity 64 of the presentwrapper 20 and the insertion of a used product into the interior cavity64 of the present wrapper 20. In the open configuration, the interiorcavity 64 of the present wrapper 20 may increase by as much as 80% ofthe wrapper 20 in its new product configuration.

Advantages of the present wrapper 20 are clear when one considersexisting prior art wrappers. For example, some prior art wrappers aresubstantially cylindrical. Access to the interior cavity of the priorart wrapper (to permit removal of the unused product) is achieved bytearing the wrapper across its width. In these instances, the opening tothe interior cavity is the diameter of the cylindrical wrapper, whichdiameter is typically not significantly larger than the diameter of theproduct itself. Once the unused product is removed, the user is taskedwith opening the limited diameter of the wrapper, and then inserting aused product back into the limited diameter opening. In many instances,the prior art wrapper may not have a means to seal the used productwithin the wrapper. The expandable side panel 26 of the present wrapper20 overcomes the aforesaid shortcomings by providing an opening into theinterior cavity 64 of the wrapper 20 that is substantially greater thanthe interior cavity opening of many prior art wrappers. In oneembodiment, the user detaches the front panel 22 from the back panel 24via tabs 44 a and 44 b, and the expandable side panel 26 opens-up toenable the consumer to easily remove the tampon 21. The wrapper 20,courtesy of the expandable side panel 26, stays in an expanded openstate during removal of the tampon 21 and optionally for insertion of asoiled product thereafter. In further embodiments, the expandable sidepanel provides [as it relates to the wrapper 20, (e.g., front panel 22and back panel 24), in an initial, prior-to-use, un-expanded state] anexpanded volume, and/or an increased surface area along inner surface 60for easier insertion of a soiled product for disposal. In yet furtherembodiments, after the wrapper 20 has received a soiled product, theexpandable side panel 26 can be collapsed and/or folded to provide avolume and/or surface area that is less than in a fully-expanded state,thereby providing further discrete disposal. The wrapper 20 shown inFIGS. 13A-13D diagrammatically illustrates the present wrapper 20,starting with the new product configuration (FIG. 13A) on the left, andthen the progressively to the right, the wrapper 20 in the openconfiguration (FIG. 13B), then the product being removed (FIG. 13C), andthen finally the wrapper 20 in a closed configuration with a usedproduct disposed in the interior cavity 64 of the wrapper 20 (FIG. 13D).As can be seen, in the new product configuration (as well as the closedconfiguration) the outer dimensions of the present wrapper 20 are suchthat the wrapper 20 is a discrete package, but in the open configurationthere is substantial access into the interior cavity 64 of the wrapper20.

As indicated above, in some embodiments the present wrapper 20 may alsobe configured in closed used product configuration and a folded usedproduct configuration. Once the wrapper 20 has been opened and the newproduct removed, it may be desirable to store the used applicator and/ora used product (e.g. a tampon) within the now empty wrapper 20. In someembodiments of the present wrapper 20, the present wrapper 20 mayinclude a re-attachment mechanism (e.g., adhesive, tape, VELCRO, etc.)along a portion or all of the open side lengthwise edges 30 a, 30 b ofthe front and back panels 22, 24, so that the aforesaid edges (or aportion thereof) can be selectively reattached to one another.Similarly, a portion or all of the top widthwise edges of the front andback panels 22, 24 may include a re-attachment mechanism (e.g.,adhesive, tape, VELCRO, etc.) so that the aforesaid edges (or a portionthereof) can be selectively reattached to one another. Once the edgesare selectively reattached to one another, the used product is safelycontained within the wrapper 20 (now in the closed used productconfiguration) and can be disposed of discretely.

In some embodiments, the present wrapper 20 may be lengthwise foldedinto a folded used product configuration (e.g. see FIG. 14 ). In theseembodiments, the present wrapper 20 may include a mechanism formaintaining the wrapper 20 in a lengthwise folded form. For example, alength of resealable tape 66 may be attached to an outside surface ofone of the front or back panels 22, 24. The user may fold the presentwrapper 20 lengthwise; e.g. folding the wrapper 20 to bring the topedges 34 a, 34 b of the panels 22, 24 toward the bottom edges 32 a, 32b, and the resealable tape 66 can be used to hold the wrapper 20 in thefolded configuration. Alternatively, a layer of adhesive may be appliedto a portion of an outside surface of one of the front or back panels22, 24, which adhesive may be covered by a releasable coversheet. Priorto folding the wrapper 20, the coversheet is removed, and the foldedportion of the wrapper 20 is rotated into contact with the layer ofadhesive which maintains the wrapper 20 in the folded configurationthereafter. The present wrapper 20 may include both re-attachmentmechanism along one or both edges, and a mechanism for maintaining thewrapper 20 in a lengthwise folded form. In the folded configuration, thesize of wrapper 20 may be decreased considerably (up to 80% decrease) toenable discretion during disposal of used product.

The present wrapper 20 can be made from a variety of different materialsand is not limited to any particular material. The front panel 22, backpanel 24, and expandable side panel 26 may be made of the same ordifferent materials. In a preferred embodiment, the front, rear and sidepanels 22, 24, 26 are a single panel that is cut and folded into theconfigurations described above. In these instances, the bottom widthwiseedge and the closed lengthwise edge can be sealed to form the interiorcavity 64. Acceptable wrapper 20 materials include polymeric films (PE,PP, and PET), cellophane, polyamide, elastic material, nonwovens, foil,paper, laminates (film to film, film to nonwoven, etc.) and fabrics.Polymeric films are particularly useful because the bottom widthwise andthe closed lengthwise edges can be thermally bonded and thereby sealed.

Embodiments of the present wrapper 20 have been described above ashaving a single expandable side panel 26 that is fixed between the frontand back panel 24 at the bottom widthwise edge. In the openconfiguration of these embodiments, the expandable side panel 26 can beopened to assume a substantially V-shaped configuration. The presentwrapper 20 is not limited to these embodiments. For example, in analternative embodiment (see FIG. 15 ), the wrapper 20 may have a singleexpandable side panel 26 that is not fixed between the front and backpanel 24 at the bottom widthwise edges 32 a, 32 b, but rather theexpandable side panel 26 may expand along the entire open lengthwiseedges 30 a, 30 b; i.e. the side panel 26 may assume a rectangular shapewhen the wrapper 20 is in the open configuration with a bottom panelthat extends between the front, back, and expandable side edges. Afurther embodiment (see FIG. 16 ) may include an expandable side panel26 on each lengthwise side 28 a, 28 b, 30 a, 30 b of the front and backpanels 22, 24. In both of these embodiments, adhesive or the like couldbe used to maintain the expandable side panel 26 folded while thewrapper 20 is in the new product configuration.

Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of illustrativeembodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications, andvariations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occurto persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of thisdisclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the steps described in conjunction with the illustrativefigures may be performed in other than the recited order, and that oneor more steps illustrated may be optional in accordance with aspects ofthe disclosure. One or more features described in connection with afirst embodiment may be combined with one or more features of one ormore additional embodiments.

1. A feminine hygiene product wrapper, comprising: an exterior surfaceand an interior surface opposite to the exterior surface, the wrapperhaving an interior cavity in a new product configuration that is definedby the interior surface, the wrapper having a first side lengthwiseedge, a second side lengthwise edge, a bottom widthwise edge, and a topwidthwise edge; the first side lengthwise edge having one or more folds,wherein the one or more folds are oriented such that in the new productconfiguration, a widthwise cross-sectional area of the wrapper issubstantially uniform along a length of the wrapper; wherein the one ormore folds are oriented such that in an open configuration, thewidthwise cross-sectional area of the wrapper is substantially largerthan the widthwise cross-sectional area in the new productconfiguration; wherein in the open configuration, the widthwisecross-sectional area adjacent the top widthwise edge is greater than thewidthwise cross-sectional area of adjacent the bottom widthwise edge. 2.The feminine hygiene product wrapper of claim 1, wherein the wrapperfurther comprises a polymeric, paper, nonwoven, laminate material,and/or combinations thereof.
 3. The feminine hygiene product wrapper ofclaim 1, wherein the second side lengthwise edge includes one or morefolds; wherein the one or more folds are oriented such that in a newproduct configuration, a widthwise cross-sectional area of the wrapperis substantially uniform along a length of the wrapper; wherein the oneor more folds are oriented such that in an open configuration, thewidthwise cross-sectional area of the wrapper is substantially largerthan the widthwise cross-sectional area in the new productconfiguration; wherein in the open configuration, the widthwisecross-sectional area adjacent the top widthwise edge is greater than thewidthwise cross-sectional area of adjacent the bottom widthwise edge. 4.The feminine hygiene product wrapper of claim 1, wherein the wrapperfurther comprises a v-shaped notch.
 5. The feminine hygiene productwrapper of claim 4, wherein the v-shaped notch is located on the topwidthwise edge.
 6. The feminine hygiene product wrapper of claim 1,wherein the wrapper further comprises a line of weakness disposedadjacent at least one of the top widthwise edge, the bottom widthwiseedge, the first lengthwise edge, and/or the second lengthwise edge. 7.The feminine hygiene product wrapper of claim 1, wherein the wrapperfurther comprises a pair of tabs that extend outwardly from either thetop widthwise edge, the first lengthwise edge, and/or the secondwidthwise edge.
 8. The feminine hygiene product wrapper of claim 7,wherein the pair of tabs are misaligned.
 9. The feminine hygiene productwrapper of claim 1, wherein the interior surface has an interior sensorycue that is distinct from and contrasts with an exterior surface cue onthe exterior surface.
 10. The feminine hygiene product wrapper of claim9, wherein the exterior sensory cue is discrete.
 11. The feminineproduct hygiene wrapper of claim 1, wherein in the open configuration,the interior cavity is up to about 80% larger than the interior cavityin the new product configuration.
 12. A feminine hygiene productwrapper, comprising: an exterior surface and an interior surfaceopposite to the exterior surface, the wrapper having an interior cavitydefined by the interior surface in a new product configuration, thewrapper having a first side lengthwise edge, a second side lengthwiseedge, a bottom widthwise edge, and a top widthwise edge; the first sidelengthwise edge having one or more folds, wherein the one or more foldsare oriented such that in the new product configuration, a widthwisecross-sectional area of the wrapper is substantially uniform along alength of the wrapper; wherein the one or more folds are oriented suchthat in an open configuration, the widthwise cross-sectional area of thewrapper is substantially larger than the widthwise cross-sectional areain the new product configuration; wherein in the open configuration, thewidthwise cross-sectional area adjacent the top widthwise edge isgreater than the widthwise cross-sectional area of adjacent the bottomwidthwise edge; wherein in the open configuration, the interior cavityis up to about 80% larger than the interior cavity in the new productconfiguration.
 13. The feminine hygiene product wrapper of claim 12,wherein the wrapper further comprises a polymeric, paper, nonwoven,laminate material, and/or combinations thereof.
 14. The feminine hygieneproduct wrapper of claim 12, wherein the second side lengthwise edgeincludes one or more folds; wherein the one or more folds are orientedsuch that in a new product configuration, a widthwise cross-sectionalarea of the wrapper is substantially uniform along a length of thewrapper; wherein the one or more folds are oriented such that in an openconfiguration, the widthwise cross-sectional area of the wrapper issubstantially larger than the widthwise cross-sectional area in the newproduct configuration; wherein in the open configuration, the widthwisecross-sectional area adjacent the top widthwise edge is greater than thewidthwise cross-sectional area of adjacent the bottom widthwise edge.15. The feminine hygiene product wrapper of claim 12, wherein thewrapper further comprises a v-shaped notch.
 16. The feminine hygieneproduct wrapper of claim 15, wherein the v-shaped notch is located onthe top widthwise edge.
 17. The feminine hygiene product wrapper ofclaim 12, wherein the wrapper further comprises a line of weaknessdisposed adjacent at least one of the top widthwise edge, the bottomwidthwise edge, the first lengthwise edge, and/or the second lengthwiseedge.
 18. The feminine hygiene product wrapper of claim 12, wherein thewrapper further comprises a pair of tabs that extend outwardly fromeither the top widthwise edge, the first lengthwise edge, and/or thesecond widthwise edge.
 19. The feminine hygiene product wrapper of claim18, wherein the pair of tabs are misaligned.
 20. The feminine hygieneproduct wrapper of claim 1, wherein the interior surface has an interiorsensory cue that is distinct from and contrasts with an exterior surfacecue on the exterior surface.